Lawmakers debate cuts to DOC personnel and COLA; proposed cuts mostly fail or are withdrawn Multiple amendments aimed at reducing Department of Corrections personnel costs and COLA adjustments were debated April 1. One $20 million denial was withdrawn; two other decrements (Amendments 52 and 53) failed in committee votes.

Alaska lawmakers faced a heated debate over proposed cuts to the Department of Corrections budget, but most measures aimed at restraining costs ultimately fell flat.

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#AK #IncarcerationReform #CitizenPortal #FiscalRestraint #PublicSafety #AlaskaCorrections

Committee backs study of gender disparities in correctional programming S6389 would direct the Department of Corrections and Community Supervision to study disparities in programming and resources between men's and women's facilities. Senator Markham described differences she hears from women in her district; the committee moved and reported the bill.

A new bill aims to uncover stark gender disparities in correctional programming, highlighting the unequal resources available to incarcerated women compared to their male counterparts.

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#NY #IncarcerationReform #CitizenPortal #ProgramAccess #GenderDisparity #NewYorkCorrections

Sen. Terrell McKinney urges committee to advance bill guaranteeing high‑school‑level education for incarcerated youth LB 1216 would require the department that houses people in state custody to provide meaningful access to high‑school‑level instruction and special‑education services for anyone under 21 who has not earned a diploma or equivalency; supporters said federal IDEA protections are not consistently implemented across facilities.

Sen. Terrell McKinney is championing a crucial bill that aims to provide high-school education and vital services for youth in custody, arguing that education is key to rehabilitation and public safety.

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#NE #DisabilityRights #IncarcerationReform #CitizenPortal #YouthEducation

House oversight hearing spotlights alleged mold, medical neglect and staff misconduct at Women’s Huron Valley Lawmakers heard testimony from former employees and the legislative corrections ombudsman alleging persistent mold, delayed or incorrect medical care, contraband drug sales by staff, and retaliation at Women’s Huron Valley Correctional Facility. Members asked the Auditor General to review the facility and discussed expanding ombudsman inspection authority (SB 156).

Systemic failures at Women’s Huron Valley Correctional Facility have led to “unacceptable and inhumane” conditions that endanger the lives of incarcerated women, prompting urgent calls for oversight and reform.

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#MI #IncarcerationReform #HealthcareAccess #CitizenPortal

AFN report to Alaska House outlines upstream causes and remedies for high Alaska Native incarceration rates Alaska Federation of Natives and university partners presented a report required by House Bill 66 (2024) showing Alaska Native people comprise roughly 42–44% of ADOC populations and recommending tribal courts expansion, early intervention, culturally grounded treatment, housing and job training to reduce disparities.

A powerful new report reveals that Alaska Native people, who make up 14-19% of the population, face a staggering 44% incarceration rate, urging immediate action on upstream interventions to address the root causes of this disparity.

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#AK #IncarcerationReform #CitizenPortal

Lawmakers press DOC on health‑care contract, MOUD and the license‑plate work program Committee members asked DOC for a breakdown of the WellPath health contract (including MOUD and ER costs) and scrutinized the small license‑plate offender work program after a budget projection flagged an unexpected payroll/fringe jump.

Vermont lawmakers are demanding transparency on correctional health-care spending amidst rising costs and a surprising payroll jump for the license-plate work program.

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#VT #IncarcerationReform #CitizenPortal #HealthcareAccountability #VermontCorrections #BudgetTransparency

Appropriations subcommittee reports several bills, tables two amid budget uncertainty On Jan. 30, the General Government and Capital Outlay Subcommittee of Appropriation reported multiple House bills (including HB 16, HB 231 and HB 44 as amended) and tabled two measures amid concerns about fiscal impact and budget uncertainty.

Virginia's Appropriations Subcommittee is making waves by advancing crucial bills while grappling with budget uncertainty—what's at stake?

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#VA #BudgetTransparency #VirginiaGovernment #IncarcerationReform #CivicEngagement #CitizenPortal

Senate committee backs bill to preserve in‑state tuition residency for formerly incarcerated students The Senate Committee on Education Postsecondary unanimously reported Senate Bill 720 favorably, a three‑line change that would prevent incarceration from automatically stripping previously established Florida residency for tuition purposes and ease reentry into education.

A groundbreaking bill just passed in Florida, ensuring formerly incarcerated individuals can reclaim their in-state tuition residency and access education without barriers.

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#FL #EducationAccess #IncarcerationReform #ReentrySupport #CitizenPortal

Committee members press for progress on women's and youth facilities, plan PRIN briefing and site visit Senators flagged long delays on women's and youth correctional facilities, discussed reuse of a dormant 'winter prison' and invited the Prison Research Innovation Network (PRIN) to brief the committee; a potential joint visit to Springfield facility was proposed for Feb. 9.

Vermont lawmakers are pushing for urgent reforms in women’s and youth correctional facilities, eyeing the potential revival of an unused prison site to address years of neglect.

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#VT #YouthFacilities #IncarcerationReform #VermontCorrections #WomenIncarceration #CitizenPortal

FCC allows prisons, jails to charge more for phone and video calls • Stateline The Federal Communications Commission voted to roll back limits on how much companies can charge incarcerated people and their families for phone and video calls. The 2-1 vote in late October reverses...

prison systems across the country are already below the previously adopted 2024 rate caps.

We MUST be better human beings. #IncarcerationReform #JusticeReform

#IncarcerationReform #PrisonReform #JusticeReform

Fantastic event by The Big Gay Spooky Market! Met tons of awesome people, had great conversations about needed reform and distributed plenty of stickers! Thanks to all who stopped by!

#transformdane #danecountywi #incarcerationreform #nonprofit #outreach #wisconsinnonprofit

Pastor urges expanded prison education, easier access for ministries and budget support A prison ministry leader told the Joint Interim Committee on Corrections that increased in-cell study space, restored incentives and faster vetting for volunteers could reduce recidivism and improve outcomes for incarcerated people.

Dr. White emphasizes that transforming education and access to community resources in Alabama prisons could be the key to breaking the cycle of recidivism and restoring hope for those incarcerated.

Learn more here!

#AL #IncarcerationReform #CommunityAccess #RecidivismReduction

Parole Board Membership Requirements Expand to Include Mental Health Professionals Bill mandates parole board includes mental health and incarcerated experience professionals

Massachusetts is taking a groundbreaking step by expanding its parole board to include mental health and incarcerated experience professionals.

Learn more here!

#MA #CitizenPortal #CriminalJusticeReform #IncarcerationReform #MentalHealthCare

Uzbek prisoners can be released three days earlier for each book they read.

#AIArt #NewsArt #DALLE #Uzbekistan #PrisonReform #ReadingInitiative #BooksForFreedom #LiteracyMatters #JusticeSystem #SenateVote #IncarcerationReform #HumanRights #EducationForAll #SocialChange #BookLovers

Eliminating cashless bail in #Washington, D.C., is a direct attack on common-sense #IncarcerationReform — full stop.

These actions are driven by fearmongering and the Trump admin's continued attack on D.C. and other progressive cities, not facts.

Read 🔗: www.splcenter.org/pr...

What a great approach to helping instead of punishing! More of this!

“Flipping that script from thinking about where girls have failed,” says the Vera Institute’s Green, “to thinking about where systems have failed girls.”
#incarcerationreform

Wisconsin Must Act Now to End the Prison Crisis Wisconsin Must Act Now to End the Prison Crisis — Not Delay with More Studies and Excuses

WISDOM's take on the state budget that passed earlier this month:
"The path forward is clear: care, not cages. Communities, not prisons."

(we'll be sharing our full take next week)

wisdomwisconsin.org/blog/f/wisco...

#incarceration #incarcerationreform #carenotcages

Panel Explores Jail Population Projections and Court Backlog Solutions Panel discusses model projections affecting jail size and suggests hiring judges to reduce backlog.

Whatcom County is at a crossroads as officials tackle jail overcrowding and explore innovative solutions to judicial backlog—could hiring part-time judges be the key?

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#WhatcomCounty #WA #CitizenPortal #CriminalJustice #IncarcerationReform #JudicialEfficiency

Ohio bill requires identification card applications for incarcerated individuals and minors Legislation mandates application submissions for identification cards by correctional facilities for eligible individuals.

Ohio lawmakers are paving the way for incarcerated individuals and minors to obtain vital identification cards, breaking down barriers to reintegration.

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#OH #AccessToID #CitizenPortal #IncarcerationReform #SocialJustice

#IncarcerationReform #Abolition #prison #incarceration

Incarcerated for 11 years for a friend's crime after evidence questioned—9 years later DNA exonerated him. "Justice delayed is justice denied." #SocialJustice #IncarcerationReform #CriminalJusticeReform check celebrity cloths: cutt.ly/GrRd2il8

It'd be really great if this ended up starting a conversation about how awful the conditions in prisons are for literally everybody inside. #IncarcerationReform

That being said, there isn't a 🎻tiny enough for this assassin's situation.

Massachusetts lawmakers propose act to uphold educational rights for incarcerated youth House bill seeks to ensure educational rights for youth in incarceration facilities

Massachusetts lawmakers are stepping up to guarantee educational rights for incarcerated youth, aiming to transform lives behind bars.

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#MA #CitizenPortal #EducationalAccess #IncarcerationReform #YouthRights

Massachusetts Senate introduces educational programming bill for incarcerated emerging adults State bill mandates diverse educational opportunities for incarcerated individuals ages 18-25

Massachusetts is taking a bold step forward by introducing a bill that promises diverse educational opportunities for incarcerated young adults aged 18-25.

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#MA #DiversityInclusion #IncarcerationReform #YouthEducation #LocalGovAI

Legislature mandates medication-assisted treatment for incarcerated individuals in correctional facilities Bill requires addiction treatment access for detainees within 24 hours of admission

Massachusetts is taking a bold step by mandating addiction treatment access for detainees within 24 hours of their admission—transforming lives behind bars!

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#MA #IncarcerationReform #HealthAccess #AddictionTreatment #LocalGovAI

Massachusetts lawmakers propose bill to uphold educational rights for incarcerated youth Legislation introduced to ensure educational rights for youth in incarceration

Massachusetts lawmakers are stepping up to guarantee educational rights for youth behind bars, paving the way for a brighter future!

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#MA #CitizenPortal #IncarcerationReform #YouthRights #AccessToEducation

Massachusetts law mandates enhanced programs and out of cell time for incarcerated individuals Legislation requires state prisons to provide six hours of programming and eight hours out daily

Massachusetts is transforming prison life with a new law mandating six hours of programming and eight hours of outdoor time for inmates!

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#MA #CitizenPortal #CriminalJusticeReform #IncarcerationReform

Department of Corrections launches Family Support Program for incarcerated parents in Vermont Family Support Program provides parenting services and resources to incarcerated parents in Vermont.

Vermont's new Family Support Program is breaking barriers by offering vital parenting resources to incarcerated parents, empowering them to stay connected with their children.

Learn more here!

#VT #CitizenPortal #VermontParents #IncarcerationReform #ParentingResources #FamilySupport

URGENT: We demand humane temperatures for all incarcerated people NOW! No one deserves to suffer in extreme heat or cold.

Join us in advocating for justice and better conditions.
secure.everyaction.com/IwZLE3wC40qL...

#HumaneTemperatures #IncarcerationReform
#BeatTheHeat